hapter 10
casually scrolled through Liam’s phone.[]
Tricked you? Please. I didn’t even know you were the kidnapper at the time.“[]
handed the phone back to him.]
And I think the lottery’s a scam anyway–never gonna waste my money on that again.“[]
grabbed a piece of fruit from the table, but Aunt Karen smacked it out of my hand.[]
You little brat–get the hell out of my house!“]
he was done pretending, her voice sharp and venomous.[]
You’ve got your own parents–stop mooching off me!”
stumbled toward the door.]
But Aunt Karen… didn’t you say you loved me like your own?“]
blinked up at her, all wide–eyed innocence.[]
raised my phone and hit record.]
Aunt Karen, are you really kicking me out? You’re my closest family in the world.“[]
Get lost!” she snapped, pointing in my face.]
From now on, I’m done with you and your whole damn family! I never wanna see you again!“]
she wasn’t even worried about the camera.]
she thought I was easy to handle–kick me out now and I’d be stuck coming back to her forever.]
With no choice, I left, crying.
“Downtown Chicago. ASAP.“[]
That was the text from my sister right as I got to the airport.]
It was the place we’d dreamed of visiting since we were kids.[]
Eight hours later, I finally stood in front of her.[]
“Amy… this is our home.“]
She pressed the keys into my hand.
Mom 1 Berathe Goud Could You Love Me Now?
37.3%
“Thank you… for giving me a home.“[]
1 looked around the garden filled with flowers, tears streaming down my face.[]
“Aunt Amy!”
Two little nieces ran out of the house.
“Come see your new room!”
It was pink from floor to ceiling, walls covered in my pictures, every detail something I loved.[]
The sunlight poured in like it was made just for me.[]
I stood frozen at the door, afraid it was all just a dream.[]
I looked at my sister and hugged her tight.]
Back when she had to drop out of school, she came here–Chicago–to survive.[]
1 asked her once if it was as beautiful as it looked on TV.[]
She said it was even better.[]
She promised that next time, she’d take me to see it.]
I told her never to come back.[]
But Aunt Karen had locked me in that dark, tiny basement.[]
Mom sent my sister videos of me starving, not even giving me a sip of water.]]
Three days later, my sister came back.
I’d hit her, crying–demanding why she’d return when she’d finally gotten away.
But she’d been forced into marrying that old cripple…]
Five years of her youth–gone.[]
Now… now things were finally different.[]
The life we deserved was finally on its way.[]
(0)
